The internet is buzzing with scary stories of affected patients. The girl tells how she came to the clinic for teeth cleaning, and left with empty wallet — appointed extraction and treatment of teeth that never hurt. A man writes about his hard experience: he paid decent money for the installation of a filling, and it fell out three days later. The clinic did not conclude an agreement, they refuse to change the filling or return the money.
When we turn to private dental clinics, we expect that we will be provided with quality services. After all, they cost a lot of money. However, a visit to the dentist turns into a lottery — Will they deceive will will pull out a healthy tooth will request the price twice as high as it should be? You can’t avoid doctors, teeth — it is important. So let's figure out how to figure out the deceivers and save not only your teeth, but and wallet.
- How dentists cheat patients: the most common tricks
- How to protect yourself from scam dentists: Tips
How dentists cheat patients: the most common tricks
Trap 1: "If you run — it will get worse»
The situation is classic: you come to the doctor for a standard check-up every six months, your teeth don't ache or rarely hurt. The dentist briefly examines, exchanges expressive glances with the assistant, and then reports a terrible verdict: “Everything is so neglected here, you need to remove it.” or "Pulpitis on four teeth, urgently treat!". You don’t have time to change your mind, as the dentist is already drawing terrible pictures: if you don’t treat the tooth now and in this clinic, then it will be even worse later, you will have to put in an implant, infection will begin, there will be swelling and d. The content of horror stories is always different, but the script is the same.
Yes, if you start real problems with teeth, then then it will definitely be worse. But first you need to make sure are real are they?
Read also: Why you need to visit the dentist every six months
Trap 2: "Urgent Treatment Needed!"
The favorite trick of all swindlers — rush, push, refer to that if not now, then never. The patient does not have time to understand what is happening, as he already takes money out of his pocket. Particularly quick clinics offer to apply a loan on the spot if you don don't have enough money for "urgent operation". And all operations with the words of a would-be dentist — literally a matter of life and death. The already familiar intimidation trap is mixed in here — "it will get worse later, hurry up!"
Trap 3: "Are are you saving on health?"
When a surprised patient begins to timidly doubt and object that he does not have such money and is not planned, and he does not want to take a loan, the dentist appeals to common sense". The manipulation of a health threat is as old as the world. We all have a self-preservation instinct that opens the door to many activities. A man can sell a house just to save his life. And deceivers understand this very well. They begin to shame the person and remind him of the importance of health, that you can't save on this!». The victim of deception succumbs and agrees: “Really, it’s me, is the money worth it?”
Trap 4: "You have to pay extra!"
Another favorite trick of scammers — name one price first, and after completion of the work, increase it several times with a reference to more expensive materials, additional work time, or even forgetfulness. Yes, a dentist, in all seriousness, can tell you: “I forgot, with us these American materials cost twice as much as usual, but they are better!”. The calculation is that the person will not make a scandal and silently give the money — «well more expensive and more expensive, thank God it's all over!" And almost everyone — they give the money and joyfully leave the clinic with
Even if there is a savvy person in front of the swindler who understands how pulpitis differs from periodontal disease, then the doctor still presses with authority. Under such pressure, even the most persistent and doubting ones give up. Although, in fact, in front of you it may not be a doctor at all, but simply a fraudster in a white coat, on the wall of which fake diplomas hang. However, arguments like "I" advise you as a specialist" operate flawlessly. People part with their money and treat healthy teeth.
How to protect yourself from scam dentists: tips
What should you do to avoid falling into the trap of intruders? Sharing tips.
1. Check the documents. Yes, you may also be shown fakes that are difficult to distinguish with the naked eye. But the very fact that you requesting licenses and diplomas of specialists will already make scammers wary and be more careful with you.
2. Study the structure of the tooth, learn about diseases and treatments. Fraudsters profit from ignorance of patients. If you are savvy, you will know the terms and have an understanding of how caries develops, what pulpitis is, how sensitive gums are treated — it will be much more difficult to deceive you. Immediately show your doctor that you the and he will think twice about contacting you. Our website estet-portal.com explains the most important issues in dentistry in an accessible language. We hope that the materials will be useful to you and will help you to fight back against unfortunate doctors.
Read also: Tooth pulpitis: causes, symptoms, treatment and dangerous consequences
3. Ask to show the problem in a picture. If you have, for example, pulpitis, then this will be visible on the picture. Feel free to ask the doctor to take a picture and show you with a pointer the place where caries has reached the pulp. We assure you that it is not difficult to decipher a dental image — just look at the infographics and examples on the internet.
4. Insist on concluding a contract.Tell immediately to the administrator that would like to conclude a contract for dental services. Let the contract prescribe all the necessary manipulations and their cost. This way you protect yourself from "the unexpected" price increase. And more — you can claim warranty services. If you treat your teeth without a contract, then there is a high risk that in the clinic will quickly stop recognizing you, your medical card will disappear and nobody will redo anything.
5. When it comes to large sums, take time to think. No matter how much pressure you doctor you doer, insist that you need to think or consult with family. You can say that you coordinate such budgets with husband or wife, you need to call, and better — go home and return in a couple of weeks. Do not listen to the persuasion and assurances that you can’t go anywhere, and you need to treat right now.
6. There were doubts — go to another clinic and verify the diagnoses.Often in another dental clinic you may be given a completely different diagnosis. And this is a reason to think — Are do do do do you work out the tricks of dentists?
7. Don't buy at too low prices and discounts.One of tricks — intentionally low prices. They are served through discounts and promotions, and also offering a subscription for year, "wholesale" services, etc. e. Consider why a good clinic would cut prices so much? There is a risk that you face scammers who will supply you with low-quality fillings at low prices or force you to pay for cheap treatment with additional services.
Read also: Modern dentistry: how to choose the right clinic
You might be interested in: How to place a filling.
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